These teams happy at 3-5

The Tennessee Titans have had a week off and are playing at home. The Bears are coming off a trip and playing on the road again.

Q. Where is the outrage?

A. The Bears are just happy to be playing. They are quite excited about their 3-5 record and two-game winning streak. They are young and naive and just glad to be a part of it all.

Q. Isn't Nashville a tough place to play?

A. Sure is. Everybody with a guitar is fixing to be a star.

Q. What about football? Isn't The Coliseum a notoriously tough venue?

A. It used to be as intimidating as singing for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry. Lately, it has been friendlier.

Q. What happened?

A. Same thing that happened at Lambeau Field. The mystique is mysteriously missing. The Titans lost their first three games at home before beating Cincinnati.

Q. Don't the Bears have a similar record at Soldier Field?

A. Exactly, except they have yet to create any mystique. Soon, maybe, but not yet.

Q. Are the Titans as excited about their 3-5 record as the Bears are about theirs?

A. Like the Bears, the Titans are in last place in their division, the AFC South. But also like the Bears, they are only two games out of first. So, yes, they have not given up on their season either. These four-team divisions sure are a cozy idea.

Q. How is Steve McNair playing?

A. He has been bothered by a bruised sternum and didn't play two weeks ago. He didn't have to spend any time in a hospital last week, so he should be ready, but he's wary of the Bears. "They are very physical, and they are going to blitz and they are going to come at you," McNair said. "If I am not right physically and mentally, Billy [Volek] can handle it."

Q. Is he tougher than Brett Favre?

A. Put it this way: If you put those two Mississippi natives in a pit, dogs would watch.